Hoop-skirt



' (Model.)

E. GREASLY.

HOOP SKIRT.

No. 245,483. Patented Aug. 9,1881.

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" 13D STATES PATENT Ordnen,

EDMUND GREASLY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

HOOP-SKIRT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 245,483, datedV August 9, 1881.

Application filed June 17, 1881. (Model.)

To all whom t may concern Beit known that I, EDMUND GREAsLY, a citizen of the United Stat-es, residing in Philadelpliia, Pennsylvania, have in vented certain Improvements in Hoop-Skirts, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to render the skirt strong and durable, to dispense with the usual metallic fastenings, and to prevent the feet of the wearer from catching in the hoops at the front of the skirt in walking. These objects I attain in the manner hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure l is a view of a hoop-skirt made according to my invention; Fig. 2, a view of another form of skirt; and Fig. 3, a View, on a larger scale, of a portion of the skirt.

In carrying out myinven tion I first produce on a suitable knitting-machine a skirt of open net-Work, A, having formed therein at intervals vertical bands B, of a more closely-knitted character than the body of the skirt. With the skirt so manufactured I then combine the hoops C, consisting of at steel springs bent to the proper shape and provided with a suitable covering. These hoops, before being joined together at the ends, are passed in and out through the meshes of the lnet-Work forming the skirt, and through the closer meshes ofthe vertical bands B, as shown in Fig. 3, said network and bands serving to hold the hoops in their proper vertical position Without the aid of any of the usual and objectionable metal clips or fastenings, the only metal clip about each hoop being that which joins the ends. The vertical bands serve to greatly strengthen the skirt and prevent the same from sagging, While the net-work of which the body of the skirt is composed prevents the feet of the wearer from becoming entangled in the hoops at the front of the skirt in Walkin g.

At the top of the skirt is a portion, D, more closely knitted than the body ot' the skirt and extending some distance from the waist-strap, this portion being combined with hoops E, so as to form a bustle and afford an efficient support for the outer garments, which rely upon it for their propersha-pe. The skirt may be made Without this closely-knitted and hooped bustle portion, although the latter is preferred.

I am aware that hoops have been used in connection with open-Work or netted skirts, as in Landenbergers patent, No. 20,720, June 29, 1858; but such skirts have not the vertical strengthening and hoop supporting bands, which form essential features of my improved skirt. Net-Work bands have also been used, instead of woven tapes, in making skeletonskirts; but one of the main objects ot' my invention is to overcome the defects of such skeletonskirts.

Without claiming broadly, therefore, either a net-Work skirt o1' a net-Work band,

I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent-- 1. A hoop-skirt'consisting of an open net- Work body, A, having at intervals vertical strengthening-bands B, knitted in one web With, but of closer texture than, the body, in connection with hoops C, passed through the meshes of the skirt and bands and supported thereby, as set forth.

2. A hoop-skirt consisting of an open network body, A, having hoops G, and furnished at the top with a bustle portion,D, more closely knitted than the body, and provided with hoops E, as set fort-h.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

EDMUND ennnsnv.v

Witnesses J AMES F. TonIN, HARRY SMITH. 

